Returns his revised paper on 'Scitamineae'; details some of the changes including rearrangement of genus 'Canna' after observations and thinks all the varieties marked in "Hortus Kewensis" are distinct species. Has been making improvements to his lands and buildings since start of the year. Encourages Smith to investigate difficult genus 'Amomum'. Has no interest in critical reviews of "Exotic botany" and encourages Smith to continue it, thinking that it will "answer much better in the result" than "English Botany".

Further remarks on his 'Scitamineae' paper; transcribes note to be added explaining Smith's discovery which has abolished 'Colebrookia', and discusses possibility of abolishing 'Globba'. Agrees that Smith should reprint the first sheet of "Flora Graeca", on basis that Smith is the editor, not the author, and to make other corrections. Has not seen issue of "Exotic botany" containing the plant named after him ['Roscoea'].

Thanks Smith for naming plant ['Roscoea'] after him in September issue of "Exotic botany"; discusses its claims to be a distinct genus based on his system. Unsure whether he should include the synoptical table in his 'Scitamineae' paper on account of it being "in the very teeth of Lin[naeu]s".

Ready to receive first parcel of herbarium Smith is preparing, and though [Liverpool Botanic] garden funds currently low is confident of success of a subscription for the herbarium. Has orders for several quatro copies of "Exotic botany"; asks [James] Sowerby to send direct rather than through booksellers. Suggests Sowerby and his son tour England to draw rare plants in private collections as research for "Exotic botany". Still considers Smith the "destined Editor of the works of Linnaeus"; discusses whether Smith should publish them by subscription. Proposes Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley as FLS and requests certificate for his nomination.

[James] Sowerby will send Roscoe as many copies of "Exotic botany" as needed but warns him of Sowerby's poor business skills. "Exotic botany" has to become more profitable for Sowerby to take up Roscoe's plan [to tour the country drawing rare plants in private collections]; Sowerby had intended to stop it until publishers Longman and co. agreed to take it on. Transcribes text for Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate.

About to send first 2000 plants of herbarium and wishes them to be purchased by or for a public body, specifically Liverpool [Botanic] Garden; confident of a total of 8 to 10,000 species, "a respectable herbarium, especially with Linnaean authority", excluding fungi, and treated to last as long as the paper.

On Roscoe's advice reprinted the first sheet of "Flora Graeca". Criticises habit for naturalists to use people's names "unchanged in the nominative, but declined", though regrets engraving of 'Salvia sibthorpii' in "Flora Graeca". Questions Roscoe on the authorities he used in his 'Scitaminiae' paper, including 'Canna augustifolia'. Discusses 'Amomum exscapum' following receipt of many new 'Amomum' species from [Adam] Afzelius including 'Grana paradisi'. Has learnt much from original Dutch manuscript of "Hortus Malabaricus" that Linnaeus received with the Surinam plants, including on 'Renealmia exaltata' and 'Amomum repens'. Received new species of 'Hedychium' from [Francis] Buchanan and will put one in Roscoe's Liverpool herbarium along with a duplicate of 'Roscoea', discusses rules for assenting its character. Discusses Correa's idea that every order has one or more genera with irregular and regular flowers, which he has seen confirmed with 'Leguminosae', 'Caryophylleae', 'Saxifraga', 'Celsia', 'Verbascum', and 'Iberis'. Thinks Roscoe should print the synoptical table with his paper [on 'Scitamineae'].

Notes that [Richard] Salisbury's "abusive pamphlet" has been quoted against him in Salisbury's "Paradisus Londinensis"; [William Fitt] Drake's opinion of the matter; resolved to remain silent but desirous for it to be known that the quarrel is about "more essential things than Bot[an]y". [Sir Joseph] Banks' sketch of 'Hura siamensium' and Retzius' description is all they have to identify the plant, a 'Globba'. Plans being made for Drake to obtain a government appointment in Buenos Aires, [Argentina]. Parliament dissolved; confident of [Thomas William] Coke and [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] for Norfolk.

Elected MP for Liverpool by a majority over both the other candidates.

Envelope, addressed to Smith, with note in red ink "Mr Roscoe's first Frank".

Arriving in Liverpool by the end of the week. Thanks Roscoe for his patronage and is happy for him and Taylor to advertise the lectures though anxious for the first one to be held by end of June.

Congratulates Roscoe on his election as MP; excitement of his family. William Smith lost his Norwich seat here thanks to efforts of "contemptible beings". Considers the impact of Roscoe's election on the slave trade, which shows that "even Liverpool can do better without it"; general election excitement. Mr Creery will be glad of Roscoe's election.

Encloses Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate and asks Smith to find two signatories. Asks for copies of his last arrangement of genus 'Canna' and the first copy of of his paper on 'Scitamineae' plants; agrees that the genus needs investigation; wishes he had seen Smith's 'Canna glauca' in "Exotic botany" as Smith's figure differs entirely from 'Canna glauca' of "Hortus Elthamensis"; his knowledge of the two kinds of the genus, the nerved leaved kind, including 'Canna lutea', 'Coccinea', 'Canna latifolia', and the glaucos kind, including 'Cannacorus' of "Hortus Elthamensis", Smith's 'glauca', 'Maranta arundinacea' and 'Maranta sylvatica', which both agree with 'lutea' of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin; small ink sketch of detail of plant. Intends to distribute 'Monandrian' plants to friends with stoves.

[Parts of this letter appears to have been written some time before its dating, as Roscoe mentions being called to offer himself as a candidate in the election, which he won in early November].

Intends to exercise Roscoe's "newly acquired gift of franking in the service of botany"; sends 'Tangionia hypophylla' for John Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden]. Sending Roscoe's 'Scitamineae' paper in several franks. Will ensure Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate is completed.

Norfolk county elections are closing with [Thomas William] Coke and [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] "some hundreds" ahead of Wodehouse, and at one of his dinners Coke toasted "Mr Roscoe & the abolition of the slave trade [...] 3 times 3"; Coke's favourable opinion of Roscoe based on his winning the Liverpool election with the motto "no slave trade"; Roscoe should visit Coke and [Andrew] Fountaine to see their libraries, manuscripts, and porcelain.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Aware that his support for the "gradual abolition of the slave trade" could be misunderstood by his friends, but meant it to ensure the slaves' saftey and interests and not for the benefit of the merchants. Finds it inexplicable that William Smith has lost his Norwich seat, as "the slave trade is held in such general abhorence" there, and he has been one of its "most firm & active opponents". Admires Smith's [epithet] for Alderman Baseley and praises Smith's "excellent turn" for this kind of composition. Details printing for his paper on Scitamineae. Intends to see [James] Sowerby about "Exotic botany", which must not be discontinued. Found a "Flora Peruviana & Chilensis" in [Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron] Holland's [(1773-1840)] library containing figures of 'Canna', 'Costus', and 'Maruta', which he made copies of but forgot, and which confirm his and Smith's system [for determining 'Scitamineae' plants].

Asks Roscoe to visit [Alexander] Macleay at the Transport Office to settle urgent questions regarding his 'Scitamineae' paper waiting to be printed; the law only allows Roscoe twelve copies of the paper. Pleased that Roscoe is finding multiple confirmations of his system; resolves to obtain "Flora Peruviana". Hopes Roscoe will encourage [James] Sowerby, who is "in despair about the work" ["Exotic botany"]; the publishers Longman & Co. were to continue it but withdrew on finding the confusion surrounding it caused by Sowerby's poor business skills; [Smith] is keen for the final two parts of second volume to be published.

Informs Roscoe of how much he is "looked up to by the nation" on abolition of slavery, which is very popular with "all parties, clergy & dissenters, quakers, aristocrats & democrats, if good people", though some people fear Roscoe will compromise or fall short of expectations. Principle wish of the people is for "immediate abolition of the procurring slaves from Africa", and for emancipation to follow in time. Roscoe is taking a "decided lead" and it will lead him to greater political consequence as long as [William Wyndham] Grenville [1st Baron Grenville (1759-1834), prime minister 1806-1807] or another abolitionist does not take the glory. Invites Roscoe and family to Norwich for Easter.

Delayed in responding to Smith by "extreme hurry & agitation" of his new employment [MP for Liverpool], from which he feels a "depression of spirits". Corrected sheets of his 'Scitamineae' paper but was unable to include plants from [Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron] Holland's [(1773-1840)] copy of "Flora Peruviana".

Shares same sentiments as Smith on African slave trade and assures him he will not compromise; the bill is currently in the Lords, where if it passes its success in the Commons is guaranteed. Has not yet been able to visit [James] Sowerby. Unable to accept Smith's invite to Norwich as he must return to Lancashire.

Congratulates Roscoe on the "glorious majority in favour of the abolition of the slave trade & the glorious sentiments that came forth on the occasion" and the part Roscoe played. Hopes Roscoe's business will find relief in consultation with William Smith, who is experienced in "arduous & complicated" business; compares them to a pair of horses Lady [Amelia] Hume used to own. Pleased Roscoe has finished his 'Scitamineae' paper and is not concerned that the "Flora Peruviana" were missed, of which copies are available at Sir Joseph Banks' and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's.

His advocacy of abolition of the slave-trade proved unpopular in Liverpool, and a "very erroneous acc[oun]t from one of the London papers" was distributed in attempt to raise outrage against him; in retaliation a transcript of his speech arguing for gradual abolition was circulated, encloses copy for Smith. A meeting on abolition to be held tonight where Mr Windham is making a speech in favour of continuing the trade; thinks this is futile. Looking forward to Smith's arrival in London.

Printed address by Roscoe announcing his withdrawal as candidate for Liverpool at forthcoming parliamentary election. Lists achievements of the recently dissolved Parliament. Withdrawing due to the "general prejudice" he has met for his part in abolition of the slave trade, his difficulties in attempting to publically render an account of his conduct, and physical attacks on his supporters.

Printed by G F Harris.

Sorry he could not see Smith again before leaving London. Describes his return to Liverpool: express coaches were organised to hasten his return from London and he was welcomed into Liverpool by friends, though on reaching the Exchange a "scene took place" which he has described in the enclosed paper [extant - JES/COR/17/48] [Roscoe found himself in the centre of a riot orchestrated by local slave traders]. The election is to commence shortly and there are only two candidates, but he does not dare exposing himself and his friends to the to "public vengeance" directed against him.

Relates his and [William Fitt Drake's] journey from Liverpool to Norwich, with quotes from Petrarch and Rousseau, via Disley, [Cheshire], Buxton, [Derbyshire], Ashbourne, [Derbyshire], Matlock, [Derbyshire], Newark, Cambridge, and [Burghley] House, [Cambridgeshire]. Cambridge [botanic] garden "in a very flourishing state" and [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator Cambridge Botanic Garden] is in correspondence with [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden], and acquired roots of 'Aletris uvaria' which are now growing in his garden.

Upset to see the plants and books of his late "beloved friend", [Edmund] Davall, before him, and regrets never visiting him in Switzerland. Invites Roscoe to visit Norwich and meet his wife, [Pleasance Smith]. Expecting copy of Roscoe's "Lorenzo".

Until reading account in "Liverpool Chronicle" had been anxious to know truth of the "dreadful reports" from Liverpool, including that Roscoe's house had been burnt down [Roscoe had been caught in a riot orchestrated by local slave traders angry at his part in the abolition of the trade]. Urges Roscoe to resubmit himself as a candidate in the Liverpool election as "resistance to such abominable treatment" and to "set aside the election of y[ou]r adversary supported by violence". Mrs Gascoign told Lady [Amelia] Hume that there was expected to be no opposition to her husband [Isaac Gascoyne] or Roscoe, believes Roscoe can use this to both their advantage.

Staying with his cousins [the Kindersleys]. Roscoe's address [announcing withdrawal from Liverpool election] is admired by all, and Sir Joseph Banks told [Jonas] Dryander it was "the best he had ever seen", though all are convinced he should not withdraw, especially as William Smith has just been reelected. "Astonished & indignant beyond measure" at Roscoe's countrymen._x000D_

His health is good and lung iunflammation cleared following a "good dose or two of James's powder"; comments on "noise & dirt" in Covent Garden now. Roscoe not put into Linnean Society council as he is too far from London, though finds everyone at the Society is disposed to his wishes anyway. [Richard] Salisbury is "quarelling" with everyone, and whilst breakfasting at the Banks' on Sunday they had an awkward, accidental meeting, which passed with "distant civility", and was the first time they have met outside of the Linnean Society._x000D_

[Thomas] Johnes has lost his election and [James] Brodie likely to lose his, "a great loss to me as a franker", but not to the country as he was a "mere Melville tool".

Glad of Smith's good health; hopes he keeps out of aggravating London air. Defeated in Liverpool election "with about 400 single unsolicited votes"; blames the "great animosity" against him on account of the slave trade, suspects it is sometimes conveyed "in the more popular phrase of Church & King". Encloses an address on the matter; his friends insist there were irregularities in the poll but he is fed up of the "violence, abusy, & scrutiny" of elections.